Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing!

 

For the Lord has comforted his people, and will have compassion on his suffering ones. 

 

Isaiah 49:13

 

 

 

November has come again. And with it, all of the anticipation of harvest, sharing, remembering, helping.

 

November is the month that we begin with remembering our loved ones who have joined the saints of old in the past year.  We call it All Saints Sunday, and it reminds us that there is so much more to this life than we can possibly understand. It also reminds us that one day we all will stand before our maker in a very specific way, and that we will be joined once again with those we love in a dimension of grace, mercy and peace.

 

On your behalf, I was privileged  to be a part of celebrating many lives in our congregations and our community: Hugh Bradley, Brian Olson, Jo Norris, Gunther Martin, Allan Tiedt, Loretta Balgord, Linda Babcock, Sara Anderson, Peter Peterson, Aleda Bailey, Jason Fox, Mary Neitzel, Doug Johnson, Marcella Matzke, Shirley Gregor, Heidi Gooding. and Georgeann Jacobson. It is a sad time for many of us, but we have hope in the risen Christ - ALWAYS.

 

November is a month with diverse ministries that go out of our doors. It is also a month for giving thanks. On Christ the King Sunday we give thanks for the women’s ministry with a special thank-offering service. But we give thanks for much, much more.  We are thankful for safe hunting this time of year. We are thankful for our food pantry that feeds the hungry of our community. We also will be continuing our long-standing tradition of putting together Thanksgiving baskets for families in our area who have very little to spare.

 

Yes, there is a lot going on in November. There always is. But over-arching the entire month is something else that is going on: a special kind of anticipation of the birth of a child that reminds us of pure, honest, love. We can hear the music of generosity by bringing toys for the upcoming Toy Workshop in December. November is a month of music; the music of remembrance, sharing with those in need, spreading the Gospel and giving thanks.

 

Once again, it is the music of Jesus!

Pr. Wendy